The Oslo Vikings are very excited to announce the re-signing of Athletic Director and Senior team head coach Derek Mann.
Club President Strula Johnsen and Current head coach Derek Mann
The Vikings and coach Mann inked a new three year contract extension from 2018 to 2021.
Over the past 4 years Derek has coached multiple teams in the organization. He started as an import player in 2012 and now he is the clubs Athletic Director and Senior team head coach.
While Derek was an import player in 2012, he was also a member of the U17 coaching staff working with the quarterbacks.
In 2013 he went on to play in Rostock Germany and Co head coach their U19 program.
After that season, Derek came back to the Oslo Vikings in 2014. He played as an import player and helped out with the U17 team in the spring. That Fall Derek became the head coach of the Vikings U15 program and has been ever since.
In 2015 Derek played his final season as an import quarterback and double as the team’s Offensive Coordinator.
2016 was the first year coach Mann stepped into full time coaching position with the Vikings. He was the Offensive Coordinator for the Senior elite team, the Head coach of the 2nd Division men’s team and the head coach of the U15 youth team.
This past season, Derek was offered the Athletic Director position and the Senior elite teams head coaching position. The club went on to an 8-0 record and went on to win the Norwegian championship as his first year as a head coach. He also maintained his position as the 2nd Division men’s team head coach and U15 head coach.
Over his five season with the club, Derek has compiled a solid winning record.
3x NM champion with the senior elite program
2x NM champion with the U17 program
2x NM champion with the U15 program
For 2018 Derek will maintain the role of Athletic Director and Senior team head coach. He will also stay on as 2nd team head coach. In addition he will be the head coach of the Oslo Vikings U19 program. The U19 program is coming off a year away from league play and looks to bounce back to top form as it was in previous years.
Here is what club President Sturla Johnsen had to say about the re-signing of coach Mann:
Oslo Vikings are very pleased that Derek Mann was willing to sign a three year contract with us. He was our first choice as a coach. Therefore, we have only negotiated with him. He is very good coach and leader. We are convinced that he will help us to achieve our goal of developing players and to continue to build on the success of the senior team moving forward.
Here is what coach Mann had to say about the new contract extension :
I am very happy and excited to have re-signed with the Oslo Vikings for 3 more years. Since the first day I became a member of the Oslo Vikings, I have been treated well and have always been taken care of. I would not want to be coaching anywhere else! I am very appreciative for the opportunity to continue working for such a great organization. I would like to thank all of the Oslo Viking board members for having the continued support and belief in me as a person and as a coach.
There is a lot of great things going on with this organization from top to bottom. My main goal is to continue the development of all of our players with the help of our entire coaching staff. Every player should have the opportunity to play at the highest level possible. I am very much looking forward to continue to make that happen.
Go VIKINGS!
